Pre-Fourth festivities starting in Anderson area

Tanya Long dances with her daughter Camilla at the annual Dancin’ on the Depot event in Hartwell, Ga. The event serves as a kickoff for the coming week’s Fourth of July activities in the Anderson area.

Patrons at the annual Dancin’ on the Depot event in Hartwell, Ga., listen to music performed by The Extraordinaires.

— Richard B. Russell State Park, Russell State Park Drive, Elberton, Ga.— Sponsored by the Elbert County Chamber of Commerce and IMEX. Fireworks start around 9:20 p.m. $8 per vehicle.

* 8 p.m., Starr annual fireworks

— Starr walking track, S.C. 81, Starr

— Sponsored by the Starr Fire Department and the town of Starr

— Patriotic music starting at 8 p.m., fireworks start at 9 p.m.

July 4, Saturday

* 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Iva Fourth of July Celebration

— Yellow Ballfield, Iva

— Sponsored by the American Legion Post 44 and the town of Iva

— Food and beverages for sale with all proceeds benefiting Post 44 projects. Fireworks at dark.

* 5:30 to dark, Fourth of July Festival

— Sponsored by the towns of Pelzer and West Pelzer

— Food, music and games including horseshoes, volleyball and a greasy pole contest, as well as pony rides, a petting zoo and inflatables for children at the Pelzer Monkey Park. Fireworks start at dusk at the Pelzer ballfields.

Independence Day may be a week away, but the celebrations surrounding it are starting in the Anderson area.

This afternoon, both Williamston and Pendleton will be the site of "freedom" celebrations and kick off the Fourth of July festivities.

The celebration starts at 3 p.m. in Williamston with a cruise-in at the Town Square Center parking lot. Drawings on the hour at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. will award $50 prizes to three lucky participants.

Starting at 4 p.m., the party moves to Mineral Springs Park on S.C. 20. Along with the playground equipment, inflatables will be available for free for children to enjoy, and the Williamston Fire Department will offer rides on the department's antique fire truck. Entertainers will take the stage from 4 to 9 p.m.

At 9:30 p.m., the festivities get loud with the firing of Williamston's historic cannon followed by a fireworks display.

On the other end of Anderson County, Pendleton's FreedomFest will kick off at 5 p.m.

With vendors and activities set up in and around Veterans Park, the day is an "old-fashioned, patriotic community celebration," organizers said.

Presented by Pendleton's Pride in Motion, the day will include a bake sale, children's games, music, a Bingo with the Mayor event and — starting around 9:30 p.m. — a fireworks display.

All proceeds from the evening will benefit Veterans Park, organizers said.

Today also will bring the second half of the two-day Pre-Fourth Extravaganza in Hartwell, Ga.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., an arts and crafts show will kick off the day. At 3:30 p.m., a children's parade and chicken barbecue will happen at the Hart EMC building.

At 8 p.m. the evening winds down with a performance by the community band at Big Oaks Recreation facility followed by a fireworks display.

The fun starts again on July 3 with the 50th annual Hillbilly Days in Mountain Rest plus a full day of festivities and fireworks presented by the Homeland Park Fire Department in Anderson and celebrations in Starr, Clemson and Elberton, Ga.